Commodity rack



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July 18, 1961 J. B. PENDERGRAST, JR 2,992,742

COMMODITY RACK Filed July 18, 1960 JOHXII B. PENDERGRAST; JR.

2,992,742 COMMODITY RACK John Bnttain Pendergrast, Jr., 1700 W. PacesFerry Road NW., Atlanta, Ga. Filed July 18, 1960, Ser. No. 43,630 11Claims. (Cl. 211-49) This invention relates to a commodity rack, and`has as its primary object the provision of an improved rack providedwith spring-biased shelves which, when empty, will fold upwardly to asubstantially vertical out-of-theway pos1tion.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of such a rackwherein the shelves are vertically movable so as to accommodate a widevariety of bottled or packaged or other goods.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a rack of thischaracter wherein the shelves are downwardly moved by weight of thecontents thereon in order that the upper shelf will rest on the contentsof a lower shelf thus providing a substantial and firmly packaged unitwhich may 4be moved from place to place with a minimum of el'Iord anddilliculty and which will substantially obviate the risk of the contentsfalling during movement or by accidental tilting of the rack.

An additional important object of the invention is the provision, in arack of this character, of a self-adjusting shelf so arranged that theshelf exerts pressure on the merchandise below it, not -by arcuatemovement about a hinged pivot, but by downward pressure of the entireshelf, which is impelled downwardly as a result of the weight of goodsloaded on the shelf, which overcomes the friction of springs located atthe hinge point, the shelf being so arranged `as to prevent arcuatemovement below the point at which the shelf is horizontal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a hinged shelf sosupported as to also have vertical sliding movement relative to a frameor support and to provide in conjunction with said shelf, a hinge havingspring tension so adjusted that the shelf remains normally in ahorizontal position when merchandise is placed on it for display, b-utwhich permits the shelf to swing upwardly to a vertical position whenthe merchandise is removed.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of suitablychanneled vertical support means, and expansible spring clips secured tothe shelf and engaging in the channel whereby upon relieving the tensioneX- erted by the spring clip against the sides of the channels, theshelf can easily be moved, or by tilting of the shelf, removed, orplaced in the exact position desired without the use of tools, nuts,bolts, or other mechanical devices.

A further specific object of the invention is the provision in a rack ofa supported shelf suitable for building displays of merchandise intiers, so larranged that when a first layer of merchandise is placed onthe base of the rack, or on the floor, in a position adjacent properlypositioned vertical back supports, and a shelf is then fixed to the backsupports, an additional layer of mechandise can be placed on the shelf,and on further shelves and mechandise placed on the other shelves untilthe display is built to the desired point. Each shelf is thus adapted to-rest on the top of the merchandise below, so that the shelvesthemselves do not entirely carry the weight of the merchandise butprovide leaves between the layers of merchandise to supply firmness andstability and to keep the display from falling, and thus protect themerchandise while on display. The arrangement is such that springtension moves the shelf pivotally to a vertical position when themerchandise has been removed from that ,individual shelf, and as eachlayer of merchannited States Patent sans ice

dise is removed, each shelf swings upwardly to uncover the next layer ofmerchandise below, but `as the shelves are loaded they will self-leveluntil they rest on the layer of merchandise below.

A11 additional important object of the invention is the provision of avertically movable shelf which is so hinged that it can swing upwardlyto a vertical position, but wherein means are provided to precludedownward swinging below a horizontal position of a angle to the verticalsupport. Thus when the merchandise is put on display, if the shelf isimproperly positioned, the entire shelf automaticaly moves downwardly bythe weight of the merchandise thereon until it is properly resting onthe merchandise below rather than swinging downwardly below thehorizontal.

Still another object of the invention is the provision of a rack of thischaracter wherein the shelves may be made in any desired size, and ofsubstantially any type of suiiiciently rigid material, such as wire,sheet metal, plastic, paper board, wood or the like.

As conducive to a clearer understanding of this invention it may bepointed out that previous devices have required specially designatedbases and back frames of varying complexity, while in the instantinvention there is provided a shelf which, while illustratively shownwith a foldable base, can be used to create displays by merely attachingsuitably spaced vertical supports to any suitable vertical surface,aflixing the shelves thereto and loading the merchandise thereon.Previously designed display devices have lbeen primarily designed forone product and have no flexibility of use, while displays built usingthe shelf and rack of this invention may be readily adapted for use fora wide variety of commodities including canned goods, bottles, boxedgoods, or other articles, simply Iby placing the shelf in the requiredposition, and adding or removing shelves as may be needed to bring thenew display to the desired height.

Hitherto known display devices having movable shelves have also beenlimited, in the main, to certain fixed positions to which they can bemoved, or, alternatively, require tools, nuts bolts, or other mechanicaldevices to iiX them in the requisite position. The shelves in theinstant invention can be placed in any exact desired position within theconfines of the vertical supports and may be so placed or inserted orremoved by simply manually relieving the spring tension exerted by theclips. Additionally, display devices of this general character haverequired the construction of special back frames for retaining theshelves, and specially constructed shelves designed to permanently litthe back frames. The present device enables the manufacturer to builddisplay fixtures of any type or of any desired material in any designdesired which include the vertical supports needed for the shelves ofthe instant invention, and further where different types of displayracks are dimensioned for shelves of the same size, the shelves may bemade interchangeable from one rack to another even if one rack is madeof wood, while another is made of wire, or sheet metal, or othermaterials.

A further important object of the invention is, therefore, the provisionof an improved rack, and shelf construction therefor, `which overcomesall of the foregoing difficulties, which fills a need in the present eldof selfservice merchandising for a display device which can be used formass displays of a desired product, which will give protection to theproduct while on display, which may be easily and quickly loaded withmerchandise, which facilitates the selection of merchandise by thecustomer, which can be readily and easily changed for the display of adifferent product when desired, and can be built in situ or readilystored in a small space.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a rack of thischaracter which is sturdy and durable in construction, reliable andefficient in operation, and relatively simple and inexpensive tomanufacture, assemble and utilize.

Other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements ofparts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointedout hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front View, in perspective, of one form of deviceembodying features of the instant inventive concept, showing one shelfin folded and the other shelf in unfolded horizontal position.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 2 2 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along theline 3 3 of FIG. l as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout theseveral views of the drawings.

In the illustrative embodiment hereinafter shown and described, thesupport has been shown as comprising a pair of spaced rectangular metaluprights having channels therein and shelves are shown as made of wire,but it will be readily understood that other materials may be ernployedso long as the inherent principles of the instant invention areretained. It will be further understood that the shelves can be loadedwith any desired goods, not necessarily only bottled goods.

Having reference now to the drawings in detail, there is generallyindicated at a rack, which includes a base 10A, which may be of anydesired conventional type, and which is shown, illustratively as havingaxed thereto a pair of vertical upright members 11. Obviously ifdesired, the base may be made foldable relative to the uprights,although this feature constitutes no part of the instant invention.Equally obviously, the base may be omitted entirely and the uprightssecured directly to a vertical support or surface. Each of the members11 is, illustratively, of hollow rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration, as best shown in FIG. 2, and includes a longitudinallyextending vertical slot 12 which extends the entire length of the inneror confronting sides of the two opposed members 12.

Other types of frame members having spaced parallel channels therein mayequally well be employed.

One or more shelf assemblies generally indicated at 13 is adapted to bemounted between the uprights 11. Each shelf assembly comprises arectangular frame including side members 14, a front member 15 and arear member 16. The frame is interconnected by strands of wire 17,extending longitudinally and transversely of the frame to form a wireshelf of substantially conventional design. Connected to the rear member16 is the bight 20 of a U-shaped rod 20a, which includes upwardlyextending portions 21, and normally horizontally extending portions 22,integral with the portions.

Extending laterally from the extremity of each of portions 2'2 is atransverse end piece 24, of a length to extend through the slot 12 intothe interior of the adjacent upright member 11. One of the members 24,designated at 24A is of greater length than the other one, `and issurrounded by a coil spring 25, one end 26 of which is secured Varoundrear shelf frame member 16, and the other end of which 27 engages in theadjacent slot 12, the arrangement being such as normally to bias theshelf to the position shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 3, or the positionof the upper shelf in FIGURE 1. Since the two shelves are identical inconstruction, being shown only in different positions of adjustment, thesame reference characters are used herein to designate both shelves.Each end 24 and 24A is provided with a spring clamp or clip member,generally indicated at 3i?, each clamp comprising a generally U-shapemember including a bight 31 and a leg 32 forming a lever portion, whichis apertured to receive the end 24 or 24A, and a second leg 33, which isin turn provided with a U-shaped portion 34 dimensioned to extend intothe adjacent slot-12. The portion 34 is apertured at its bight toreceive the end of the adjacent member 24 or 24A. From the inner leg 35of each U-shape portion 34 and operating handle portion 36 extendsinwardly o/ver the shelf 13. The U-shaped portion 34 is resilient, andis so dimensioned that the sides thereof normally engage the sides ofeach slot 12, to secure the associated shelf 13 normally in iixedvertical position relative to the uprights 11. The arrangement is such,however, that compression of the opposed handles 36 of la given shelfwill release the engagement of the sides of the U-shape portions 34 withtheir associated slots 12, and permit the shelf to be moved verticallyto a desired height. The frictional engagement of the springclips Silwith the sides of slots 12 is sufficiently tight normally to hold anempty shelf in an adjusted position. However, the spring tensionaffected by the U-shape portions 34 is such that upon the loading of anymaterial weight on the associated shelf 13, the same will be forceddownwardly vertically into a position to rest on the contents `of thenext adjacent shelf below, or on whatever may be positioned on the base10A. Obviously the springs 25 serve when the shelves are empty to biasto the shelves to the vertical position shown by the upper shelf inFIGURE l, and when any article is placed thereon the shelves assume ahorizontal position as disclosed in the lower position of FIG. l. Itwill be seen also that the portions 21 serve as limit stops, by theirengagement with the rear portion 16 of frame 14 to limit the downwardswinging movement of the shelves 13 to a horizontal position, as bestshown in FIG. 3.

It is to be understood that other types of supports and shelvesconstructed of other materials may be employed so long as the basicinventive concept of two channeled support members having a shelfmounted therebetween, with the shelf vertically movable under the weightof commodities placed thereon, the shelf being spring biased from ahorizontal to a vertical position, with compressible spring clipsretaining the empty shelf against vertical movement, is retained.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided animproved commodity rack, which accomplishes all of the objects of thisinvention, and others, including many advantages of great practicalutility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments m-ay be made of this inventive concept, and as manymodifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown anddescribed, and it is to be understood that all matter herein is to beinterpreted merely as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In a rack, the combination of a base, a pair of vertical uprightsconnected to said base, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the inner confronting sides thereof, atleast one shelf assembly mounted for vertical sliding movement betweensaid uprights, said shelf assembly including a wire frame, and atransversely extending rod secured to one end of said wire frame, saidrod having its ends extending into said slots, and spring clampsengaging said ends and said slot to hold said shelf assembly in aselected position of Vertical adjustment.

2. In a rack, the combination of a base, a pair of vertical uprightsconnected to said base, said Vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a wire frame, and a transversely extendingrod secured to one end of said wire frame, said rod having its endsextending into said slots, spring clamps engaging said ends and saidslot to hold said shelf assembly in a selected position of verticaladjustment, and spring means normally biasing said shelf assembly fromhorizontal to substantially verticalposition.

3. In a rack, the combination of a base, a pair of vertical uprightsconnected to said base, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a wire frame, and a transversely extendingrod secured to one end of said wire frame, said rod having its endsextending into said slots, spring clamps engaging said ends and saidslot to hold said shelf assembly in a selected position of verticaladjustment, spring means normally biasing said shelf assembly fromhorizontal to substantially vertical position, and stop means limitingthe downward swinging movement of said shelf assembly to horizontalposition.

4. In a rack, the combination of a base, a pair of vertical uprightsconnected to said base, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a wire frame, and a transversely extendingrod secured to one end of said wire frame, said rod having its endsextending into said slots, spring clamps engaging said ends and saidslot to hold said shelf assembly in a selected position of verticaladjustment, spring means normally biasing said shelf assembly fromhorizontal to substantially vertical position, stop means limiting thedownward swinging movement of said shelf assembly to horizontalposition, said spring clamp assemblies including U-shaped portionsextending into said slots, and lever portions connected to one leg ofeach U-shaped portion, arranged so that compression of said U-shapedportions releases the engagement thereof with the sides of said slots.

5. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofVertical uprights, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a transversely extending rod secured toone end of said shelf, said rod having its ends extending into saidslots, and spring clamps engaging said ends and said slot to hold saidshelf assembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment.

6. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofvertical uprights, said Vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a transversely extending rod secured toone end of said shelf, said rod having its ends extending into saidslots, spring clamps engaging said ends and said slot to hold said shelfassembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment, and spring meansnormally biasing said shelf assembly from horizontal to substantiallyvertical position.

7. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofvertical uprights, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a transversely extending rod secured toone end of said shelf, said rod having its ends extending into saidslots, spring clamps engaging said ends and said slot to hold said shelfassembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment, and spring meansnormally biasing said shelf assembly from horizontal to substantiallyvertical position, and stop means limiting the downward swingingmovement of said shelf assembly to horizontal position.

8. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofvertical uprights, said vertical uprights hav- 6 ing longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a transversely extending rod secured toone end of said shelf, said rod having its ends extending into saidslots, spring clamps engaging said ends and said slot to hold said shelfassembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment, spring meansnormally biasing said shelf assembly from horizontal to substantiallyvertical position, and stop means limiting the downward swingingmovement of said shelf assembly to horizontal position, said springclamp assemblies including U-shaped portions extending into said slots,and lever portions connected to one leg of each U-shaped portionarranged so that compression of said U-shaped portions releases theengagement thereof with the sides of said slot.

9. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofvertical uprights, said vertical uprights having longitudinallyextending vertical slots in the sides thereof, at least one shelfassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement between said uprights,said shelf assembly including a transversely extending rod secured toone end of said shelf, said rod having its ends extending into saidslots, spring clamps engaging said ends and said slot to hold said shelfassembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment, spring meansnormally biasing said shelf assembly from horizontal to substantiallyvertical position, and stop means limiting the downward swingingmovement of said shelf assembly to horizontal position, said springclamp assemblies including \U-shaped portions extending into said slots,said U-shaped portions each having an opening therein through which v anend of said rod extends, and lever portions connected to one leg of eachU-shaped portion arranged so that compression of said U-shaped portionsreleases the engagement thereof from the sides of said slot, the otherof said legs of each U-shaped portion having a right angularly disposedextension having an opening therein through which said rod extends.

10. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair `ofvertical uprights, each upright having two spaced apart confrontingportions defining a longitudinally extending vertical channel, thechannels of the uprights being positioned in confronting relation, atleast one shelf assembly mounted for vertical sliding movement betweensaid uprights, said shelf assembly including a transversely extendingrod the ends of which extend into said channels, and spring clampssecured to said ends and engaging the sides of said channel to hold saidshelf assembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment.

1l. In a display rack for commodities, the combination of a pair ofvertical uprights, each upright having two spaced apart confrontingportions defining a longitudinally extending vertical channel, thechannels of the uprights being positioned in confronting relation, atleast one shelf yassembly mounted for vertical sliding movement betweensaid uprights, said shelf assembly including a transversely extendingrod the ends of which extend into said channels, spring clamps securedto said ends and engaging the sides of said channel `to hold said shelfassembly in a selected position of vertical adjustment, and means forreleasing the engagement of said spring clamps with the sides of saidchannel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,039,647 Carter Sept. 24, 1912 2,867,332 Adams Jan. 6, 1959 2,908,395Patterson Oct. 13, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,009,104 France of 1952

